The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was a landmark legislation in the United States that aimed to protect the rights of newly freed African Americans after the Civil War. It granted citizenship to all persons born in the U.S. and ensured that they had the same rights as white citizens, including the ability to make contracts, sue, and own property. This act was significant because it laid the groundwork for future civil rights legislation, including the 14th Amendment, which further solidified citizenship rights. The law was a response to the discriminatory Black Codes that were enacted in Southern states to restrict the freedoms of African Americans.